Device for fixing the thread end on yarn coils



Nov. 12, 1963 H. RAASCH 3,110,450

DEVICE FOR FIXING THE THREAD END 0N YARN COILS Filed Nov. 7, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG.I

Nov. 12, 1963 3,110,450

DEVICE FOR FIXING THE THREAD END 0N YARN COILS H. RAASCH 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NW. 7, 1961 FIG.8.

FIG.7

FIG.6

FIG. IO

Nov. 12, 1963 H. RAASCH 3, 0

DEVICE FOR FIXING THE THREAD END ON YARN COILS Filed Nov. 7, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIG.

Nov. 12, 1963 H. RAASCH 3,110,450

DEVICE FOR FIXING IHE THREAD END 0N YARN COILS Filed Nov. '7, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Nov. 12, 1963 H. RAASCH 3,110,450

DEVICE FOR FIXING THE THREAD END 0N YARN COILS Filed Nov. 7, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 United States Patent 3,110,450 DEVICE FOR FlXlNG THE THREAD END (IN YARN COILS Hans Raasch, Rheydt-Gdenldrchen, Germany, assignor to Walter Reiners, Monchen-Gladbach, Germany Filed Nov. 7, 1961, Ser. No. 150,776 Claims priority, application Germany Nov. 15, 1960 It} Claims. (Cl. 242-48) My invention relates to devices for fixing the thread end on textile yarn coils such as spinning cops, shuttle bobbins and the like, and more particularly to improvements of devices of the type disclosed in the copending application Serial No. 109,314, filed May 11, 1961.

According to the copending application, a loop is formed in the length of thread passing from the yarn supply coil to the take-up coil so that the thread end is placed beneath the penultimate turn of the body of yarn wound onto the take-up coil, whereafter the thread is pulled thus tightening the loop and fixing the thread end, whereafter the thread end is severed from the yarn supply. For performing this method, a loop taker is located in front of the tip of the yarn coil being wound and about to be completed. The loop taker comprises an angleshaped member of round cross section so arranged that one of its two angle legs extends substantially parallel to the axis of the take-up coil Whereas the other leg is preferably perpendicular to that axis and is displaceable in the axial direction into the range of the yarn path from the supply to the take-up coil, and is rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the loop taker.

It is an object of my invention to provide a simpler device capable of performing the above-mentioned method and affording an improved reliability of operation.

To this end, and in accordance with a feature of my invention, I provide in front of the coil tip a loop-taker member formed essentially of an angle-shaped body with one leg stubstantially parallel and the other leg preferably vertical to the axis of the take-up coil, the loop-taker leg that is parallel to the coil axis being radially spaced from that axis beneath or beside the core tip of the coil and being mounted for rotation about the leg axis as well as for rotation about the coil axis.

According to another feature of my invention, the above-mentioned loop taker is mounted on journal means so geared that the loop taker performs a single full rotation about its own axis during two full rotations about the core tip of the coil.

According to further features of the invention, the loop taker has a cross-sectional area which decreases in the direction toward the coil at least in the loop-taker leg that is parallel to the coil axis. For securing a reliable fixing of the thread end, it is further preferable to provide a tensioning wire or the like yarn-tensioning member in the yarn path from the supply coil to the take-up coil, which tensioner causes tautening of the thread and which is displaceable by the force acting upon the tensioner during rotation of the loop taker about the coil tip due to the thread portion that is then being placed about the loop taker.

According to still another feature of the invention, I provide the loop taker with a displaceable stop member which is temporarily placed into the glide path of the loop being formed in order to prevent premature escape of the loop from the loop taker, particularly when rayon or other very smooth yarn is being used. The foregoing and more specific features of my invention, set forth with particularity in the claims annexted hereto, will be described in the following with reference to embodiments of yarn-end fixing devices according to the invention illustrated by way of example. on the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of the yarn-end fixing device in a cop winding machine, FIG. 2 is an axial section of the same device, and FIG. 3 is a cross section along the line III-III in FIG. 2. FIGS. 4 to 8 illustrate axial views onto the loop-taker structure of the device in respectively different stages of operation, each view being in accordance with the section line IVIV in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a front view of the loop taker similar to part of FIG. 1 but representing a different stage of operation; and FIG. 10 shows part of a completed copwith the yarn end thereof fixed to the tubular core of the cop in accordance with the operation of the device according to FIGS. 1 to 9.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a modified embodiment of a yarn-end fixing device otherwise corresponding to FIG. 2; and FIGS. 12 to 14 are schematic views of the device according to FIG. 11 in three successive stages of operation.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of sequence control means applicable with devices according to the invention.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional View similar to FIG. 3 but relating to another embodiment. FIG. 17 shows schematically a sectional development of a gear train according to the section line XVIIXVlI in FIG. 16; FIGS. 18 to 24 are axial views relating to the device of FIGS. 16 and 17 in respectively different stages of operation; FIG. 25 is a front view corresponding to FIG. 24; and FIG. 26 shows part of a cop with the yarn end fixed thereto by means of a device according. to FIGS. 16 to 25.

According to FIG. 1, a take-up spool 1, hereinafter simply referred to as cop, is located within the winding station of a cop winding machine corresponding essentially to that of U.S. Patent 2,657,867. The tip of the tubular coil core 1a carries a reverse winding 3 (FIGS. 1, 10) of a few turns usually called tip bunch. Although the coil winding operation and machine as such are well known and not part of my present invention proper (a detailed description being available in Patent 2,657,867), as well as in the above-mentioned application Serial No. 109,314, they will be briefly described presently.

The yarn body of the cop 1 is wound onto the tubular core or quill by passing the yarn F from a supply package 61 through a frictional clamping device 49 and past an elastic tensioning member 56 and a fixed yarn guide 62 over a rotating guiding drum 48 onto the core. The yarn clamping device 49 is provided with two sets of disc pairs 49:: and 49b. The tensioning member 50 consists of a spring wire which tends to turn clockwise against the thread F thus keeping the thread in taut condition between the clamp 49 and the cop.

The core is clamped in a winder head 63 which during winding operation is driven by a spindle 64 coaxial to the core. The spindle 64 is connected by gears (65a in FIG. 15) with the shaft 65 of the guiding drum 48 so that the latter rotates simultaneously with the core while being gradually shifted along the cop axis. The guiding drum is provided with the conventional loop-shaped guiding groove which extends peripherally and axially along the drum and thereby causes the yarn, running onto the cop, to reciprocate along the cop axis. The above-mentioned axial shifting of the guiding drum 48 is controlled by a bar 66 (FIG. 1) on which the guide 62 is mounted. When the body of yarn is completely wound, the last end portion is wound about the core tip in order to form the bunch 3. Such a bunch at the tip of the core subsequently facilitates seizing and conveying of the yarn end in the machinery, such as a re-winding machine or a weaving loom, in which the cop is to be used for further fabrication.

Turning now to the description of the invention proper, it will be noted that a loop taker 11 is disposed in front of the cop tip la but is located beneath the tip, or rather is radially spaced therefrom. The loop taker has the shape of a generally angular structure. One of its legs Illa is parallel to the axis of the cop 1 and the winder spindle 64-, whereas the other leg 11b extends at a right angle to the cop axis. Shown further in FIG. 1 is the housing 40 which accommodates the drive mechanism for operating the winder spindle 64 and the shaft 65 in the above-described manner. Another fixed portion 4-2 of the machine housing has a fixed tubular counter bearing it on which a disc 43 is journalled for rotation about an axis coincident with the axis of the cop. The loop taker i1 is rotatably mounted on the disc 43 in eccentric relation thereto as is best apparent from MG. 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 the counter-bearing 41 is provided with a funnel-shaped member 51 for engaging the tip of the tubular core la. The member 51 is mounted on an axially displaceable shaft 41a coaxially journalled within the tubular counter bearing 41 and biased by a spring 4117 for movement, together with an axially displaceable ball bearing 41c, toward the tip of the cop. The member Sll and its shaft 41a revolve together with the core of the cop as the core is being driven by the spindle 64 (FIG. 1). Upon completion of the wound body of yarn on the cop, the tip bunch 3 is formed in known manner by means of a hook 47, which upon completion of the yarn body proper, pulls the thread F against an abutment member 52 (FIG. 2) thus preventing the yarn guiding drum 48 from further reciprocating the oncoming thread, while the rotation of the core, driven by spindle 64 (P16. 1) continues for a desired number of rotations, thus forming the tip bunch 3.

The loop taker 11, rotatably mounted on disc 43, has its shaft a provided with a spur gear 10 meshing with a pinion 53 (FIG. 3). Firmly joined with pinion 53 is a spur gear 54 which is rotatable on a pivot pin 53a rigidly fastened to the disc or carrier structure 43. The gear 54 meshes with another spur gear 55 on a pivot pin 55a likewise fastened to the disc 43. Gear 55 meshes with a pinion 56 on a pin 56a also fastened to disc 43. A spur gear 57 coaxially joined with pinion 56 meshes with an annular spur gear 58 coaxially seated on, and rigidly joined with, the tubular counter bearing 41. A housing 59, likewise connected with the disc 43, encloses the above-described gear mechanism. The housing 59 has a hub portion joined with an annular spur gear 46 meshing with a spur gear 45 on a shaft 44 which is journalled in the fixed housing 42 (FIG. 1) and drives the loop-taker mechanism.

After the cop is completely wound and the tip bunch formed, the driving spindle 64 stops and the shaft 44 is placed in revolution thereby rotating the disc 43. The loop taker 11 then rotates about the tip of the cop and is simultaneously placed into additional rotation by means of the spur gears 10, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 and 58, this rotation being about the longitudinal loop-taker axis parallel to the axis of cop 1 and spindle 64. The spur gears of the driving mechanism are sograduated that two full rotations of the disc 43 are accompanied by a single full rotation of the loop taker 11 about its own axis. A loop in the length of thread between the hook 4-7 and the tip of core 1a is formed upon two full rotations of the disc 43. When this loop is caused to glide off the loop taker, the thread end will be located beneath the loop (FIG. 10). The thread is then pulled so that it is clamped against the core tip by the last preceding turn of the winding. Thereafter the thread end is severed from the yarn supply coil.

The just-mentioned formation of the loop and its shifting over the core tip and over the yarn end to be fixed, will be further described with reference to the schematic illustrations in FIGS. 4 to 10.

As mentioned, each of FIGS. 4 to 8 represents a cross section along the line 1V-IV in FIG. 9. Shown is the core tip 1a of the cop with the thread F wound thereupon, the rotatable disc 4-3, the loop taker ill rotatably seated on the disc 43, and the leg 11!) which extends in a radial plane of the cop. While the disc 4-3 is rotating in the A sense of the arrow A (FIG. 4), the loop taker turns about its own axis in the sense of the arrow B. FIG. 4 shows the starting positions of disc 43 and loop-taker leg 11.

In FIG. 5 the disc 43 has rotated an angular amount of and the loop taker 11 has turned 45 about its own axis. As a result, the loop taker catches the thread F extending from the tip bunch 3 toward the yarn supply.

In FIG. 6 the disc 43 has rotated 270. It will be recognized that a loop is being formed by the loop taker.

In FIG. 7 the loop taker has completed one full rotation and also 90 of the second rotation and consequently assumes the same position as in FIG. 5. However, leg 11b of the loop taker has now turned 180 relative to the position shown in FIG. 5. For that reason, the thread F passing from the tip bunch toward the yarn supply, can now glide along the loop taker and toward the yarn body of the cop.

In FIG. 8 the disc 43 has rotated 270 during the second rotation. The looper taker has now turned to such a position that its leg 11]) points exactly toward the tip 1a of the cop. Due to the conical or tapering shape of the leg 11a, the loop now glides off and places itself over the thread end on the tip in of the cop. Since the thread, during the entire operations described above, is kept under some tension caused by the tautening wire 50, the loop is pulled closed. This is represented in FIG. 9 from which it is apparent how the loop of thread glides along the tapering leg lb of the loop taker. The tightened loop is shown at F in FIG. 10. It will be seen that the loop covers the thread end over a range of approximately 180. For that reason, the loop is not pulled away from the yarn end when the loop is being closed and tightened. The yarn end therefore is sufficiently fixed to the cop by the closing of the loop.

A characteristic feature of this particular way of fixing the thread end to the coil tip is the fact that the yarn end, located beneath the last turn of the cop winding, i.e. beneath the above-mentioned loop, is freely located between the yarn reserve constituted by the tip bunch, and the tip of the main body of yarn. Consequently, only if the thread end is pulled in the direction toward the yarn body proper, can it be pulled from beneath the loop F. However, since the thread end, after tightening of the loop, is severed a short distance from the cop, there is no danger that it may become inadvertently pulled out from beneath the loop.

After the loop has glided off the loop taker, the disc 43 performs another rotation of 90 and then stops, so that the starting position of H6. 1 is again attained. Consequently, for forming the loop and shoving it over the thread end, the disc 43 performs two full rotations, Whereas the loop taker simultaneously performs only one rotation about its axis, the sense of rotation of the loop taker being opposed to that of the disc structure. The correct ratio of the numbers of rotation as well as the proper sense of rotation are secured by the above-dcscribed transmission.

It will be understood, however, that the proper ratio of rotations as well as the proper sense of rotation between the disc structure 43 and the loop taker 11 may be secured with the aid of other transmissions. For example, a Geneva-gear transmission is likewise applicable.

When the yarn to be wound is very smooth, it may happen that the loop glides off the loop taker too early so that the yarn end is not securely hastened to the cop. To reliably prevent such trouble, a stop member may be provided at the loop taker which temporarily protrudes into the glide path of the yarn loop and thus prevents it from leaving the loop taker prior to the moment when the loop is to be placed onto the core tip.

Such a stop member preferably consists of a rod coaxially and displaceably disposed in a bore of the loop taker and protruding therefrom as long as the yarn loop is to be prevented from gliding off. The displacing niotion of the rod out of the bore can be accordingly controlled in dependence upon the rotation of the loop taker. For this purpose, the rear end of the. rod is preferably in engagement with a control cam under the force of a biasing spring. A particularly simple design of this type results by having the bore and rod located in the center axis of the loop-taker leg that extends substantially parallel to the axis of the cop being wound and hence parallel to the axis of the winder spindle.

The just-mentioned features of my invention are incorporated in the modified embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 14. It should be understood that the yarn-end fixing device according to FIGS. 11 to -l4 generally corresponds .to that described above with reference to FIGS. 1 through with the exception of the modified features described presently.

The loop taker 11 shown in FIG. 11 corresponds essentially to that of FIG. 2 but has an extended portion Illi'a which forms the pivot shaft on which the pinion 10 is mounted. Furthermore the leg 11a which, as well as the shaft portion ltl'a, extends parallel to the axis of the cop 1, is provided with a center bore in which a rod 168 is axially displaceable. The rear end of rod 160 is provided with a head 160a preferably produced by upsetting. Seated on rod 169 between head 169a and pinion To is a helical compression spring 161 which urges the rod toward a cam disc 162. The cam disc 162 is fastened by a set screw 163 to the stationary counterbearing 41. During rotation of the disc 43, the head 160a of rod 160 glides along the cam face of the cam disc 62 which has different thickness along its periphery. At the thicker localities of the cam disc 16 2, the rod 160* is pushed axially toward the right so that its tip protrudes out of the loop taker 11. The cam disc 62 thus controls the rod 160 to protrude out of the loop taker only at the suitable stage of operation and to then retain the loop of yarn until the loop taker has assumed the correct position at which the loop is to glide off.

This operation will be further explained by reverting to FIGS. 4 to 10 in conjunction with FIGS. 12 to 14, it being understood that the stop rod 169 is shown only in FIGS. 12 to 14 but not in FIGS. 4 to 10. The loop-forming operation takes place in the same manner as described above with reference to FIGS. 4 to 10. It will be remembered that FIG. 7 shows the disc 43 after it has completed one full rotation plus 90 of the second rotation. The yarn F now passes by the loop-taker leg 1112. FIG. 12 shows the same stage of operation in lateral view. At this stage the rod 161 is still withdnawn into the loop taker so that the yarn is not prevented from gliding past the loop taker. During further rotation of disc 43, the rod 160 is pushed forward and protrudes out of the loop taker. Thus, FIG. 13 shows the stage of operation in which the disc 53 has rotated 225 during its second rotation. The loop taker at this moment has turned about its own axis to such an extent that the end of its leg 11!: almost points toward the tip of the cop. In this position, the loop could possibly glide off the loop taker if the yarn consisted of a particularly smooth material such as rayon. This stage, according to FIG. 13, is intermediate those represented by FIGS. 7 and 8. As apparent from FIG. 13, the protruding rod 169 now holds the loop of yarn on the loop taker. Thereafter, the position according to FIG. 8 is reached in which the disc 43 has turned 270 during its second rotation. Now the leg 11a of the loop taker points perpendicularly toward the tip of the core. A corresponding lateral view is represented in FIG. 14. At this stage, the rod 160 is again withdrawn into the loop taker so that the loop can glide off. Thereafter, the disc 43 performs a further rotation of 90 to resume its starting position according to FIG. 4.

Since the disc 43 performs two full rotations for forming the loop, a forward and return displacement of the rod 160 also take place during the first full rotation, but

this has no effect upon the functioning of the device because, as apparent from a comparison of FIGS. 6 and 8, the leg 11:: of the loop taker, during the first rotation of the disc 43, is not directed toward the core tip but points away from the tip. The completed and tautened loop produced on the device according to FIGS. 11 to 14 is identical with that shown in FIG. 10.

The pa ticular type and design of the control means used for operating the winder spindle 65, the tip-bunch forming rod 47 and the drive shaft 44 of the yarn-end fixing device in the above-described sequence are not essential to the invention and may consist of the cam mechanisms conventionally employed in such machines, such as those illustrated and described in the above-mentioned Patent 2,657,867 and application Serial No. 109,314. As shown in application Serial No. 109,314, a cam shaft driven by an electric motor may be provided with a cam for each of the individual components to be controlled, each cam cooperating with a movable cam follower that effects the necessary control at the proper time or stage of an operating sequence determined by a single full revoluion of the group of cams. However, control devices of other types, such as hydraulic or electrical devices, are likewise applicable.

Since an electrical control can more readily be illustrated in a single illustration and in a simpler manner than mechanical cam mechanisms, and in view of the fact that the particular type of control means is not relevant to my invention proper, I prefer showing such an electric control in the diagram presented in FIG. 15 and described presently.

The diagram is simplified, all conventional protective devices and other auxiliaries, such as safety switches or overload relays, being omitted.

The illustrated control system comprises a motor M64 for driving the winder spindle 64 as well as the shaft 65 of the yarn-guiding drum 4%. Motor M64 is controlled by a contactor C64, a pushbutton switch P64 and a relay R64. The relay is controlled by an electric controller shown by way of example as a drum-type controller and schematically illustrated in planar development. The controller 17d is provided with contact segments 171 to 175 cooperating with stationary brush contacts 171K, 172K, 173K, 174K, 175K and is driven from a control motor M176 under control by a contactor C171? and a switc S170. The axial displacement of the rod 47 required for forming the tip bunch is shown controlled by a solenoid or motor M47 under control by a contactor C47. The drive shaft 44 of the yarn-end fixing device proper is driven from a motor M44 under control by a contactor C44 and a limit switch S44. The limit switch S44 is open when the motor M44 is at rest and is so geared to the shaft 44 that it closes as soon as the shaft 44 commences its rotation and is thereafter opened only when the shaft 44 has completed two full rotations.

When an empty core is inserted into the machine, the winding operation is started by depressing the pushbutton P64. The contactor C64 then energizes a motor M64 and thereafter keeps itself energized through a normally open self-holding contact under control by a normally closed contact of relay R64. The motor M64 then drives the winder spindle 64, and the body of yarn is wound onto the core as described above. The motor M54 and the winder spindle 64 are thereafter stopped only when the relay R64 is energized by the controller 174? and interrupts the self-holding circuit of contactor C64.

When the body of yarn is completely wound so that only the tip bunch remains to be produced, the switch 817i is temporarily closed. For the purposes of the invention, it may be assumed that this is done by hand, although it can also be done by a feeler or other sensor responsive to a given thickness of the yarn body, or also by a length-metering device or other automatic means. The switch 817i) energizes the contactor C so that the control motor M174 starts turning the controller 170 from the zero position. In a first position reached shortly thereafter, the segment 172 maintains the contactor (317d energized so that the controller 1'79 continues to be driven by motor M176 until it has completed a full cycle of rotation. In a second position reached thereafter, the segment 173 energizes contactor C4 7 wh .n causes the motor or solenoid M47 to shift the rod 4'1 toward the left so that now the tip bunch is wound, the winder motor Mod being still running at this time. Thereafter, the controller reaches a third position in which segment 174 passes an impulse to relay RM thereby cans the contactor 054 to drop out, thus stopping the winding operation. Thereafter, the controller reaches a fourth position in which segment 1"]5 energizes contactor C44 by a short impulse sufficient to start the motor M44 and to thereby close the limit switch S4 2 The contactor Old then remains energized through its self-holding contact whose circuit includes the switch The yarnend fixing device is now in operation in the manner described above until the disc member 43 has completed two full rotations. Then the switch 544 is again opened so that the contactor C44 drops out and stops the motor Mid-4' The controller then runs beyond its last position back to the starting point. The reciprocation of tie winder drum 43 can be derived by gears or cams r m the drive motor M64- or can also be controlled by the controller 17%.

The above-described segments 171 to 175 may, of course, be substituted by the lobes of control cams acting upon electric switches for controlling the electric motors or cooperating with movable cam follov'ers for mechanical displacement of the rod $7 or the control of clutches driving the winder spindle s4 and shaft i i respectively.

Furthermore, while in the devices described in the foregoing the loop taker rotates once about its own axis during two full rotations of its supporting disc structure about the axis of the cop or winder spindle, it is in some cases preferable to provide for a different rotational ratio and have the loop taker perform a single rotation about its own axis during three or more full rotations of the disc structure. This is particularly favorable when the yarn being used has only slight elasticity as well as a smooth surface so that the formation of a single loop is not always sufficient for reliably fixing the yarn end to the cop. It is then preferable to rotate the disc structure at least three times for each individual rotation of the loop taker so that, instead of a single loop, two or more are shoved over the yarn end to more reliably prevent the yarn end from jumping olr' the cop, for example if the cop inadvertently drops onto the floor.

The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 16 through 26 is designed to thus produce two loops F (PEG. 26) instead of the single loop (FIG. 10).

This device is substantially identical with the one described above with reference to FIG. ll and, like the latter, is provided with a stop rod 161?. it dirTers from the device of FIGS. 11 to 14 only by the provision of a different gear train between the spur gear lb and the spur gear 58 of which the latter is fixed coaxially on the stationary and tubular counter bearing 41. The modified gear train is illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17 which should be viewed together with FlG. 11.

During rotation of the disc 43, the spur gear 157, whose journal pin 15651 is firmly mounted on disc 4-3, meshes with the spur gear 53 on the stationary counter bearing 41. Gears 58 and 157 have the same number of teeth. Fixedly joined with the spur gear 157 is a coaxial pinion 1S6 meshing with a spur gear 155. The transmission ratio of gears and 155 is 1:3. Gear 155 transmits rotary motion through a pinion 53 to the spur gea which rotates the loop taker 11 about its longitudinal axis.

in order to have the loop taker ll perform this rotation only once during three rotations of the disc structure 431 and also for causing the loopt- $61 rotation to be discontinuous, the spur gear is given the particular design described presently. A number of gear teeth are omitted along one third of the periphery in a range a whose axial width, however, is smaller than the total width of the gear 155', the remaining adjacent peripheral portion 255:; being fully occupied by gear teeth so as to continuously receive rotary motion from spur ear 156. During the interval in which the gap portion 3.5% or gear 155 passes by the pinion $53, no motion is transmitted to the pinion 153 due to the lack of teeth at this lo 'ion. However, to prevent uncontrolled rotation of pin n 153, a locking disc 153:: is coaxially fastened to the pinion 1.53 and prevents the pinion 153 from rotating during the interval in which the gap 155a of gear i555 passes inactively over the pinion 153. Mounted along the gap range 155a on gear 355, is a latch part 1555s which then engages a recess of the locking disc 153a. The diameter ratio of gears 155 and 153 is 3:2; but, since one third of the number of teeth are omitted the gap 155a, the pinion E53 rotates only once during rotation of gear 155, and is stopped during /a rotation of gear due to the gap 155:: and the blocking engagement of la ch 155C with disc 153a. The pinion 353 transmits its L rtcrrn ttent rotary mot-ion to the spur gear it} joined oaxiaily with the loop taker 11. Consequently, the loop taker l1 performs only a single rotation about its own axis during three rotations about the cop axis, the position of the loop taker 11 being xe-d during one of the three rotations about the cop axis.

The rotation of the loop taker about its axis and the simultaneous rotation about the cop axis are apparent from various operational stages shown in M68. 18 through 2 PEG. 18 represents the starting position of the disc 43 and the loop taker leg 11b. FIG. 19 shows the loop taker leg 1111 after a disc rotation oi 96 about the cop axis and a loop-taker rotation of approximately 45 about its own axis. In tlus position, the yarn F becomes engaged by the loop taker. During further disc rotation of 360 about the top axis, the loop taker remains fixed in its position relative to the disc, according to FIGS. 20 and 21. When the disc 4-3 reaches the posi tion shown in PEG. 21, the loop taller engages the yarn F a second time and commences the formation of a second loop. During subsequent travel of the loop taker about the cop tip, the pinion 153 again meshes with the spur gear 155 so that the loop taker simultaneously turns about its own axis (FIG. 22). This rotation causes the loop taker to reach such a position that, when it arrives at the yarn F the third time, the yarn will glide oil the loop taker (FIG. 23). HQ. 24 shows that in this position the two loops now completed can glide off the loop taker because now the stop pin on is withdrawn into the loop taker and, as shown in PEG. 25, permits both loops to glide over the yarn end. Thereafter, the two loops are pulled taut by the elastic tensioning means (5th in FIG. 1). As result, the yarn end is held fixed to the core tip at four points where the two tight loops cross over the yarn end.

While it is preferred to fix the thread end to the ymn coil while the coil is still located in the winding spindle immediately after completion of the wound body of yarn, it is obvious that a device according to the invention may also be mounted in some other location and some other relation to the yarn coil. For example, when the coil is completely wound in the winding machine, it may be moved from the winding position toward a depositing location in the manner and by the means described in the above-mentioned application Serial No. 109,314, and the thread end may then be fixed to the coil by a device according to the invention while the coil is located in such other position. If desired, the axial displacement of the coil from the Winding location to the new location may be translated into a rotational motion for drivthe mounting disc structure as well as the loop taker rotationally seated on said structure.

Such and other modifications will be readily available to those skilled in the art, upon a study of this disclosure, without departing from the essential features of my invention and within the scope or" the claims annexed hereto.

1 claim:

1. A device for fixing the yarn end to the wound body of a yarn coil after winding the coil from a yarn supply onto a core, comprising holder means for holding the coil so as to define a given coil axis, said holder means leaving the last-Wound end of the coil exposed when in operation, clamp means radially spaced from said holder means and engageable with the yarn for holding a length of yarn extending .away from said coil end, a loop taker located near said holder means at the side of said coil end, said loop taker being of generally angular shape and having one leg parallel to said coil axis and another leg extending in a substantially radial plane, a carrier struc ture rotatable about said axis adjacent to said holder means, means for rotating said carrier structure about said axis said one leg being journalled on said structure for rotation about its own axis and engageable with said length of yarn during rotation of said structure so as to form a loop of yarn about said one leg, and means for rotating said one leg about its own axis, during said rotation of said structure, to a position pointing toward said axis at a substantially right angle thereto, whereby the loop is placed upon said coil.

2. In a yarn-end fixing device according to claim 1, said means for rotating said one leg about its own axis comprising gear means connecting said one leg with said rotatable structure and having a 2:1 transmission ratio so that said structure completes two full rotations for one rotation or" said one leg.

3. A yarn-end fixing device according to claim 2, comprisin elastic tensioning means yieldingly engageable with the yarn end between said clamping means and the loop taker 16f tautening the loop when the latter is placed upon the coil.

4. In a yarn-end fixing device according to claim 1, said one leg having a cross section decreasing in area toward the coil.

5. -A device for fixing the yarn end to the Wound body of a yarn coil after winding the coil from a yarn supply onto a core, comprising holder means for holding the coil so as to define a given coil axis, said holder means leaving the last-wound end of the coil exposed when in operation, clamp means radially spaced from said holder means and engageable with the yarn for holding a length of yarn extending away from said coil end, a loop taker located near said holder means at the side of said coil end, said loop taker being of generally angular shape and having one leg parallel to said coil axis and another leg extending in a substantially radial plane, a carrier structure rotatable about said axis adjacent to said holder means, means for rotating said carrier structure about said axis, said one leg being journalled on said structure for rotation about its own axis and engageable with said length of yarn during rotation of said structure so as to form a loop of yarn about said one leg, means for retating said one leg about its own axis, during said rotation of said structure, to a position pointing toward said axis at a substantially right angle thereto, and retractable stop means mounted at said loop taker and engageable with the yarn loop for preventing it from gliding onto the coil until said other leg has reached said position.

6. In :a yarn-end fixing device according to claim 5, said one leg of said loop taker having a central bore, and said stop means comprising a rod axially displaceable in said bore between a retracted position and an active stop position, said rod having one end protruding out of said bore toward the coil when in said stop position.

7. A yarn-end fixing device according to claim 6, comprising control means engageable with the other end of said rod and connected with said rotatable carrier structure for axially displacing said rod in dependence upon the rotation of said structure.

8. A yarn-end fixing device according to claim 6, comprising a cam coaxially connected with said rotatable carrier structure to rotate together therewith, said rod having its other end adjacent to said cam, a biasing spring biasing said other end against said cam, whereby said rod is axially displaced in dependence upon rotation of said carrier structure.

9. A device for fixing the yarn end to the wound body of a yarn coil after winding the coil from a yarn supply onto a core, comprising holder means for holding the coil so as to define a given coil axis, said holder means leaving the last-wound end of the coil exposed when in operation, clamp means radially spaced from said holder means and engageable with the yarn for holding a length of yarn extending away from said coil end, a loop taker located near said holder means at the side of said coil end, said loop taker being of generally angular shape and ha ing one leg parallel to said coil axis and another leg extending in a substantially radial plane, a carrier structure rotatable about said axis adjacent to said holder means, means for rotating said carrier structure about said axis, said one leg being journalled on said structure for rotation about its own axis and engageable with said length of yarn during rotation of said structure so as to form a loop of yarn about said one leg, gear means connecting said one leg with said rotatable structure and having a 2:1 transmission ratio so that said structure completes two full rotations for one rotation of said one leg, stop means displaceably mounted in said loop taker and engageable by the yarn loop for preventing it from gliding onto the coil until said other leg has reached said position, control means operatively connecting said stop means with said carrier structure for'displacing said stop means in dependence upon the rotation of said carrier structure, and elastic tcnsioning means yieldingly engageable "with the yarn end between said clamping means and the loop taker for tautening the loop when the latter is placed upon the coil.

10. In a yarn-end fixing device according to claim 1, said means for rotating said one leg about its own axis comprising gear means connecting said one leg with said rotatable structure and having a transmission ratio of at least 3:1 so that a plurality of loops are formed and placed upon said coil.

References Cited in the file of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 50,369 Austria Oct. 25, 1911 296,203 Germany Jan. 19, 1917 1,226,932 France Feb. 29, 1960 211,714 Austria Oct. 25, 1960 

1. A DEVICE FOR FIXING THE YARN END TO THE WOUND BODY OF A YARN COIL AFTER WINDING THE COIL FROM A YARN SUPPLY ONTO A CORE, COMPRISING HOLDER MEANS FOR HOLDING THE COIL SO AS TO DEFINE A GIVEN COIL AXIS, SAID HOLDER MEANS LEAVING THE LAST-WOUND END OF THE COIL EXPOSED WHEN IN OPERATION, CLAMP MEANS RADIALLY SPACED FROM SAID HOLDER MEANS AND ENGAGEABLE WITH THE YARN FOR HOLDING A LENGTH OF YARN EXTENDING AWAY FROM SAID COIL END, A LOOP TAKER LOCATED NEAR SAID HOLDER MEANS AT THE SIDE OF SAID COIL END, SAID LOOP TAKER BEING OF GENERALLY ANGULAR SHAPE AND HAVING ONE LEG PARALLEL TO SAID COIL AXIS AND ANOTHER LEG EXTENDING IN A SUBSTANTIALLY RADIAL PLANE, A CARRIER STRUCTURE ROTATABLE ABOUT SAID AXIS ADJACENT TO SAID HOLDER MEANS, MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID CARRIER STRUCTURE ABOUT SAID AXIS SAID ONE LEG BEING JOURNALLED ON SAID STRUCTURE FOR ROTATION ABOUT ITS OWN AXIS AND ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID LENGTH OF YARN DURING ROTATION OF SAID STRUCTURE SO AS TO FORM A LOOP OF YARN ABOUT SAID ONE LEG, AND MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID ONE LEG ABOUT ITS OWN AXIS, DURING SAID ROTATION OF SAID STRUCTURE, TO A POSITION POINTING TOWARD SAID AXIS AT A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGHT ANGLE THERETO, WHEREBY THE LOOP IS PLACED UPON SAID COIL. 